HAPPY DIWALI!!!

I have always looked forward to Diwali, as it is a festival that brings joy to me. The joy of gifting something that brings a smile on my face. One month in advance the search for sarees begins. Even if it is for the support staff, I will not be satisfied easily. The designs and colours have to appeal to me. Then it is instantly selected.

There is so much joy in seeing their happiness while receiving their Diwali clothes.

Sweets are distributed and festival bonus is credited to the staff.

Diwali hampers are curated and sent to relatives and friends.

Diwali is seen as a festival of bringing joy in the lives of people.

I look back at my childhood when my guardian angel, who took care of me, used to buy us our Diwali clothes. My childhood was mostly spent at their place.

There used to be so many relatives and friends on the eve of Diwali. Everybody was given their clothes. Crackers were bought at such a huge cost. They brought light into the lives of so many people.

Everybody was very happy on that one day, forgetting their daily challenges. On their own, probably they would not have been able to afford the luxury of good clothes, delicious food and crackers to burst. The kind-hearted souls made it a memorable day for them. All my Diwali was spent in their house.

Diwali meant, togetherness, good food, delicious sweets, merry-making, sharing, enjoying, and most importantly, there was someone spearheading the celebration, who had the heart to give, and bring joy in the lives of their friends and relatives. Somebody who worked so hard to have more than enough, someone who was willing to share. In my life, it was my Godfather.

Probably, this had a huge impact on my outlook in life, coupled with the approach of my husband, who loves to give.

As a child, bursting crackers gave me thrill. But, as an adult, happiness is derived more from making others happy.

I wonder how life changes our perspective, and our status quo in life. To be able to give, and having the heart to give, both are a blessing from above.

Diwali is symbolic of good winning over evil. I think, Diwali after Diwali, my being was getting purified. My focus started shifting from self to selflessness.

Life comes to a point when your need to have is overtaken by your need to give, from being consumed by the desire for self-gratification, to the joy of enriching others’ lives.

What we experience in our childhood, and the people who are around us, have an impact on who we become. We learn from what we see.

Was Diwali just wishing each other, “Happy Diwali!” and posting pics in your new clothes on social media, or did you light up somebody’s life and make it a memorable day, just as how my guardian angel did when I was a child?

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting